Fed grant will fund water, sewer work

JIM MOLONY

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, May 24, 2009

Friendswood's economy secured a $2.9 million boost Friday as city officials received official notification from U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke that Friendswood had secured $2 million in federal grant funding for the purposes of stimulating economic development in the region.

The city, which will contribute an additional $900,000 toward the project, had submitted a grant application with the Economic Development Administration in December.

The grant funding provided by the EDA will be used to create water and sewer infrastructure in the Harris County portion of Friendswood, near Beamer Road and FM 2351.

"We're really happy about this, this has been a high priority for the city for a long time, there has just not been funding for it" said Karen Capps, Friendswood economic development coordinator. "I can't tell you how many projects haven't located here in the past because the infrastructure wasn't in place."

The funds will be used to build water and sewer lines along 2351 from Beamer Road towards Frankie Carter Randolph Park.

Once complete, the new infrastructure will have the potential to diversify the local tax base with economic development along the FM 2351 corridor in Friendswood's north end—also known as the panhandle. The corridor covers approximately 300 acres.

"It's been in our Capital Improvements Projects for funding since 2002," Capps said. "Infrastructure improvements will make this an ideal business location, especially given its proximity to I-45."

The project is expected to facilitate development in the area, including new industry and jobs.

"It could be hundreds of jobs," Capps said. "This is a commercially-zoned area in the city that we are looking to diversify."

Preliminary engineering for the project is expected to begin during the next three months.

"This grant is where preparedness and opportunity come together," said Friendswood Mayor David Smith. "We are ecstatic about how this grant will improve and diversify the local economic base by aiding in the development of the panhandle area of Friendswood."